Optician's tool and method for removing or inserting lenses

{
  "publication_number": "US11185965B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Optician's tool and method for removing or inserting lenses",
  "abstract": "A tool (10) for assisting an optician in removing lenses (42) from or inserting lenses into eyeglass frames (44) includes an elongated block of substantially rigid material (12) having a forward working end (14) and a rearward free end (16) opposite the working end, the portion between the free end and the working end functioning as a handle to be grasped by a person's hand. A first recess (24) is formed in the bottom surface (22) of the block along with a first curved surface (26) and a first hook (28). The first curved surface includes a rearward facing pointed edge (27). Similarly, a second recess (36) is formed in the top surface (20) of the block along with a second curved surface (38) and a second hook (40). The hooks (28, 40) are adapted to rest against the edge (46) of the frame (44) as the pointed edge (27) or the second curved surface (38) presses the lens (42) out of or into the frame (44) as the free end (16) of the tool is rotated.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A tool for assisting an optician in removing lenses from or inserting lenses into eyeglass frames comprising: an elongated block of substantially rigid material having a forward working end and a rearward free end opposite said working end, the portion of said tool between said free end and said working end functioning as a handle and being of such size and shape so as to be capable of being grasped by a person's hand; said block further having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite said top surface; a first hook formed in said bottom surface, said first hook facing essentially forwardly toward said working end; a first curved surface formed on said bottom surface, said first curved surface including a rearward facing pointed edge; a first recess formed in said bottom surface, said first recess being located between said first hook and said pointed edge; a second curved surface formed on said top surface; a second hook formed in said top surface, said second hook facing essentially forwardly toward said working end, and a second recess formed in said top surface, said second recess being located between said second curved surface and said second hook.",
    "2. The tool for assisting an optician in removing lenses from or inserting lenses into eyeglass frames as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second recess, said second hook and said second curved surface are located more rearward than said first recess, said first hook and said first curved surface.",
    "3. The tool for assisting an optician in removing lenses from or inserting lenses into eyeglass frames as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said hooks is bifurcated thereby forming two spaced apart hook sections.",
    "4. A method of removing a lens from an eyeglass frame comprising the steps of: providing a tool having a handle with a rear free end and a forward working end, said handle including a recess therein adjacent said working end, a hook on the rear side of said recess facing forward and a pointed edge on the forward side of said recess facing rearward; placing said recess over the frame of the eyeglasses with the hook resting on the outer part of the frame and the pointed edge resting against the inner surface of the lens, and rotating the free end of said tool whereby said pointed edge forces said lens out of said frame.",
    "5. A method of inserting a lens into an eyeglass frame comprising the steps of: providing a tool having a handle with a rear free end and a forward working end, said handle including a recess therein adjacent said working end, a hook on the rear side of said recess facing forward and a curved surface located on the forward side of said recess; placing a lens over the lens opening in the frame; placing said recess over the frame of the eyeglasses with the hook resting on the inner part of the frame and the curved surface resting against the outer surface of the lens, and rotating the free end of said tool whereby said curved surface forces said lens into said frame."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention is directed toward a tool for opticians that is designed to assist them in removing lenses from or inserting lenses into eyeglass frames and to a method of using the tool.\n\nEyeglasses are comprised essentially of frames and lenses. Normally, a person chooses his or her frames and an optician grinds or otherwise prepares lenses in accordance with the person's prescription as determined by an optometrist. The lenses are then forced into the frames from the front.\n\nShould a person's prescription change but the person wishes to continue to utilize his or her existing frames, the old lenses must be forced forwardly out of the frames by the optician. The new lenses are then forced into the frames from the front thereof.\n\nWhen an optician inserts lenses into eyeglass frames or removes lenses from frames, he or she holds the frames with both hands around the lens openings and with his or her thumbs pushes the lens into or out of the frame. This frequently requires substantial force and repetitively doing so can cause injuries to the optician's thumbs. Furthermore, should the optician have a preexisting hand problem or develop a problem, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to apply enough force to insert or remove the lenses.\n\nTo Applicant's knowledge, there is no tool or device available in the marketplace to assist an optician in inserting or removing lenses. Furthermore, to Applicant's knowledge, there is no patent or other literature describing such a tool or device.",
  "cpc": [
    "B25B 27/00",
    "B25B 27/02",
    "B25J 15/0033",
    "B29L 2011/0016",
    "B29L 2012/005",
    "G02C 1/06",
    "G02C 13/001"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25B 27/00",
    "B25B 27/02",
    "B25J 15/00",
    "B29L 11/00",
    "B29L 12/00",
    "G02C 1/06",
    "G02C 13/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Bionic Thumb Tools LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Bruce Rubin"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-06-20",
  "publication_date": "2021-11-30",
  "grant_date": "2021-11-30",
  "priority_date": "2017-06-21",
  "application_number": "US-201816621828-A",
  "family_id": "64737381",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "USD415280S",
    "USD538117S1",
    "US7827884B2",
    "US20200183191A1"
  ]
}